Hudson Shupe admires his second inning 3-run home run Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

July 1, 2023

Victoria, BC – Hudson Shupe had a pair of hits, including a three-run home run, while Russell Young also homered, with three hits and three RBI, as the Victoria HarbourCats powered their way to an 11-1 win over the Bellingham Bells on Canada Day afternoon at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

FULL BOX SCORE

Benny Roebuck pitched four solid innings against Bellingham Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The win moves the HarbourCats record to 18-8 and gives them the unique position of having the most wins in the league, but sitting in third place in the North Division behind the 17-5 Wenatchee AppleSox and now 17-6 Bells, both of whom have three games in hand over the ‘Cats in the first half of the season.  The win also moved the ‘Cats record to 13-1 at home.

Tripp Clark gets high fives after scoring Victoria’s first run Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Shupe’s three-run homer highlighted a six-run second inning, while Young’s blast was a solo shot in the bottom of the third, that gave the ‘Cats a commanding 7-0 lead.  A three-run fifth, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Dallas Macias, put the game away for Victoria.

Benny Roebuck got the start on the mound and he was solid through four innings of work, giving up one run on six hits while striking out three.  He also made a nice play on a come-back line drive to start and inning-ending double play to get himself out of trouble in the fourth.

Russell Young had a three-hit and two-RBI day with a home run against Bellingham on Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Cody Howard was tagged with the win in relief for Victoria, while Bellingham starter Kadden Drew took the loss.

The HarbourCats and Bells complete their three-game set with another 1:05 pm matinee on Sunday, to complete the HarbourCats first half of the season.  Tickets for that game are available at http://harbourcats.com/tickets or available at the gate starting at 12 NOON.

Todd Haney relaxes pre-game Saturday, with the look of a coach that has a team with a 13-1 record at home (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

PLAYOFF SCENARIO:  For the ‘Cats to win the first half of the season, they need to sweep Bellingham tomorrow and then hope that the Bells lose at least two of their three games against Kamloops next week AND they need to have Wenatchee lose four of their next seven games.